Abbotsford Pedestrian Hit In Police Video (GRAPHIC)

A shocking video, released by Abbotsford police as part of a road safety warning, shows a distracted driver who sends a pedestrian flying 50 feet in the air

The video shows a 64-year-old pedestrian crossing a near-empty intersection next to a woman with a stroller when a car flies through the crosswalk and hits him.

The driver was looking at her purse just before the accident that happened in December 2012, said Abbotsford police in a Tuesday news release. She stayed on the scene after the crash and co-operated with investigators.

The video is being released to show what can happen when drivers are even "momentarily distracted," explained Const. Ian MacDonald. Police say the pedestrian survived but still has a long recovery ahead.